Gov’t to allot P45B for villages cleared of communist threat

From the Manila Standard (Aug 7, 2020): Gov’t to allot P45B for villages cleared of communist threat (By Francisco Tuyay)

The government will allot over P45 billion worth of various projects to thousands of villages cleared of communist threat, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon has said.

He said 1,431 barangays would receive programs and projects amounting to P45,935,704,998, a development program of the government to alleviate the sufferings of communities whose livelihood had been severely affected by the presence and harassment of New People’s Army.

“President Rodrigo Duterte, in his State of the Nation Address on July 27, underscored the government efforts in attaining internal peace and security, citing the endeavor as an intervention, and implement projects already cleared of influence of Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army,” Esperon said.

Aside from the 1,431 barangays, some 2,379 threatened barangays will also receive government projects, a package which is part of the government Barangay Development Program.

The DBP projects include farm-to-market roads that will be implemented both by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Public Works and Highways; and school buildings by Department of Education; water and sanitation by the Local Government.

The other projects include national greening and reforestation program by the Department of Natural Resources; health stations by the Department Health; raising of livestocks, crops, and fisheries by the Agricultural Department.

Esperon said communities freed of NPA influence would be accorded electrification by the DOE; internet connectivity; and capacity-building activities by the Department of Trade, Department of Labor and TESDA.

The funds intended for the projects will be sourced from the budget of the agencies spearheading the projects in coordination with local chief executives.

“The DBP aims to sustain the government’s successes in clearing barangays threatened and influenced by the Communist Terrorist Group through the implementation of grassroots development initiatives,” Esperon said.

“The Regional Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) and its regional task forces have identified programs and projects that need to be delivered in 1,431 barangays cleared of CTG influence, as well as 2,379 threatened barangays,” Esperon said.

Esperon said the DBP would be pursued at full speed, and with prioritization, alongside the government’s initiatives in managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This will bring about an environment for peace and progress and insurgency-affected as well as geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. As these programs are being implemented expeditiously and thoroughly, the CPP-NPA will lose the support of its mass base, to whom it has made empty promises,” Esperon said.

https://manilastandard.net/index.php/news/national/330813/gov-t-to-allot-p45-b-for-villages-cleared-of-communist-threat.html

Suspected NPA rebel arrested in Negros

From Panay News (Aug 8, 2020): Suspected NPA rebel arrested in Negros (BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA)

A suspected member of the New People’s Army (NPA) was arrested in Barangay Binobohan, Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental.

Porferio “Peryong” Landesa, allegedly a member of the NPA’s Local Guerilla Unit Central Negros 1-Kometing Rehiyon-Negros Cebu Bohol Siquijor, was served with arrest warrants on Aug. 6 by soldiers of the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion (94IB) and 62nd Infantry Battalion (62IB).

Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Flores, 62IB acting commander, said government troops proceeded to Sitio Agpapatao, Barangay Binobohan after having been informed by residents of the NPA’s presence there, resulting to Landesa’s arrest.

Landesa had three standing arrest warrants for the murder of a Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) member back in 2018 as well as charges involving illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Authorities recovered a .38-caliber revolver with 13 live ammunition from Landesa, and personal belongings which included a shirt with NPA markings.

Landesa was detained in the Guihulngan City police station lockup cell.

https://www.panaynews.net/suspected-npa-rebel-arrested-in-negros/

NOLCOM: Terrorist groups, marijuana cultivators, drug pushers declared personal non grata in Kalinga

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): Terrorist groups, marijuana cultivators, drug pushers declared personal non grata in Kalinga



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.607791242603248/3349869175062094/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: 48IB distributes milk to nourish IP Dumagats

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): 48IB distributes milk to nourish IP Dumagats



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.607791242603248/3349869781728700/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: Abra PRLEC to launch 'Ilaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kapayapaan' Project

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 6, 2020): Abra PRLEC to launch 'Ilaw ng Kabataan Tungo sa Kapayapaan' Project



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.1813617812020579/3339410516107960/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: 3 NPA bandits neutralized during joint law enforcement operations of Army and PNP

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 6, 2020): 3 NPA bandits neutralized during joint law enforcement operations of Army and PNP



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.607791242603248/3347453765303635/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: Gov't launches IP Community Enhancement Program in Floridablanca

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 5, 2020): Gov't launches IP Community Enhancement Program in Floridablanca



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.1813617812020579/3342088535840158/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

NOLCOM: Miyembro ng Komunistang Grupo Sumuko sa mga Otoridad

Posted to the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 5, 2020): Miyembro ng Komunistang Grupo Sumuko sa mga Otoridad



https://www.facebook.com/crgnolcom/photos/a.1813617812020579/3344895198892825/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/NOLCOM/

SOLCOM: Ranking NPA couple in Samar chose family over revolution, surrenders to government

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): Ranking NPA couple in Samar chose family over revolution, surrenders to governmenmt



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2640674132859310/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: San Jose de Buan mayor urges NPA terrorists to surrender, avail of government's program

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): San Jose de Buan mayor urges NPA terrorists to surrender, avail of government's program



https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2640673956192661/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

SOLCOM: Army troops encountered communist NPA terrorists in CamSur

Posted to the Southern Luzon Command (SOLCOM) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): Army troops encountered communist NPA terrorists in CamSur

To the people of CamSur, our heartfelt gratitude for your support in attaining our desire of having a peaceful and progressive nation free from the atrocities of the NPA terrorists.

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/photos/a.1503968379863230/2640482892878434/?type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/SouthernLuzonCommandAFP/

AFP-CRS: Strong communites key to defeat insurgency.

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): Strong communites key to defeat insurgency.

A top official of the Philippine Army in Agusan del Norte has underscored the role of strong communities among the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the province to end the local conflicts caused by the communist insurgency.

In a statement Wednesday (August 5), Lt. Col. Julius Cesar C. Paulo, commander of the Army's 23rd Infantry Battalion, lauded the efforts of the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP) and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) in reaching out to the IP communities and leaders in Agusan del Norte to see the tribe's "Actual situations and gather their issues and concerns."

#AFPyoucanTRUST |www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3521546547864044/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

AFP-CRS: Army rescues abandoned female NPA in Zamboanga clash

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): Army rescues abandoned female NPA in Zamboanga clash

RESCUED| Government troops rescued a wounded fighter of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) in a remote area of Zamboanga del Norte.

#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3521552641196768/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

AFP-CRS: IPs vulnerable to pandemic also faces intimidation by terrorist NPA

Posted to the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Civil Relations Service (AFP-CRS) Facebook Page (Aug 7, 2020): IPs vulnerable to pandemic also faces intimidation by terrorist NPA

#AFPyoucanTRUST| www.afpcrs.com

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/photos/a.182240175128048/3521557661196266/?type=3&theater

[The Civil Relations Service (CRS) is the unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that engages the public through its public information and community relations programs “to create a favorable atmosphere between the community and the AFP. The CRS is the equivalent of the Psychological Operations and Civil Affairs units of the US Army.]

https://www.facebook.com/CivilRelationsServiceAFP/

CPP/Ang Bayan: People turning to revolution because of Duterte’s tyranny and failed pandemic response

Propaganda article from the English language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): People turning to revolution because of Duterte’s tyranny and failed pandemic response

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

In a televised address a few days ago, Duterte angrily rebuked Filipino health workers for publicly calling for urgent changes in his goverment’s strategy in addressing the Covid-19 and challenged the people that “if revolution is what you want, do it, and do it now.” Duterte is itching to use all-out the powers he has claimed under his new terror law in the vain hope of silencing everyone and securing his power.

The way Duterte continues insists on his militarist and police-centric response to the pandemic and resorts to intimidating the people and silencing criticism and dissent, he is bound to get what he wishes for.

Indeed, the hardships and sufferings brought about by Duterte’s failed response to the pandemic is rousing the Filipino people. Increasingly, the people are realizing that the biggest impediment to the country’s ability to surmount the pandemic is Duterte himself, and his cabal of inept military officers at the helm of the Inter-Agency Task Force. More and more people are becoming increasingly vocal, angry and defiant, and becoming more organized and willing to take action, both here and abroad.

Because of their fascist orientation and mindset, Duterte and his minions continue to handle the Covid-19 pandemic as a national security question and a matter of political survival, and less than a public health crisis.

Since the start of the year, when the entire world was alerted of the rapidly spreading Covid-19 disease, the Duterte regime has failed to put into place urgent measures to strengthen the capacity of the country’s health system to manage the pandemic. He has stubbornly sticked to his “let us wait for the vaccine” line.

Thus, despite widespread clmaor, Duterte ignores demands to put into place urgent health measures necessary to confront the pandemic. He ignored early calls to strengthen the health system to prepare for the Covid-19 pandemic. He remains adamant in refusing demands for free mass testing and free treatment of Covid-19 patients. The costs of testing and treatment are beyond the reach of the working class. Inadequate measures have been taken to strengthen the capacity of public hospitals and laboratories, recruit enough nurses and medical workers, provide enough personal protective equipment, raise their salaries and provide them medical insurance.

In typical Marcosian fashion, Duterte insists on blaming the people’s “lack of discipline” for the spread of the virus to justify the imposition of police and military lockdowns and restrictions on people’s freedoms as the regime’s principal response to the pandemic, forcing people to stay in their homes without income or livelihood, and without adequate and timely social subsidies. Millions of people are going hungry and have been driven to desperate straits.

In Metro Manila, tens of thousands are rushing to go home to their home provinces, despite the uncertainty and lack of economic opportunities that await them. The regime’s often idiotic travel restrictions and policies have resulted in large crowds congregating in airports, piers and stadiums waiting for their opportunity to board airplanes, ships or buses. Hundreds were likely infected and became disease transmitters in the provinces.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to rapidly spread in the Philippines. The number of cases by the first week of August has skyrocketed to more than 110,000, rising by almost four times over the past month. The number of deaths have doubled to more than 2,000.

Because of Duterte’s failed response, Filipinos have become even more vulnerable to the Covid-19 infections. At the same time, his prolonged lockdown has resulted in further economic devastation. It has accelerated the downward slide of the country’s economy which before the pandemic was already on a decline as a result the slowdown of the international capitalist system.

As in previous regimes, Duterte refused to heed the people’s demand for an end to the export-oriented and import-dependent economic system characterized by the absence of national industries and genuine land reform. Instead of taking the opportunity to invest in productive sectors to manufacture medical equipment and other much needed commodities to create jobs and lessen reliance on imports, the regime has gone berserk in foreign borrowings to finance its corruption-laden infrastructure projects.

Duterte has taken advantage of the pandemic to consolidate his tyrannical regime and further strengthen his control of the fascist state. At the same time, he has given the police and military establishment unprecedented powers to arrest and detain people in their numbers, and suppress their democratic rights. Under the regime’s new terror law, the military and police are more and more emboldened to clamp down on people’s basic civil and political rights. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, counterinsurgency and political repression against dissent and opposition have become the tyrant’s top priorities.

Duterte has spewed the vilest propaganda against the patriotic, progressive and revolutionary forces and promoted the most backward and unscientific ideas and prejudices in the vain hope of sedating the masses and keep them perpetually imprisoned in a state of stupor. However, the more that Duterte assaults the people with his lies and demagoguery, the more that he rouses the people’s indignation and stokes the fire in their bellies.

The more that Duterte uses the pandemic to strengthen his grip on power, to accumulate more wealth by diverting public funds, serve the economic interests of his favored oligarchs, and further kowtow and surrender the country’s economic sovereignty to China in exchange for financial and political favors, the more that people are convinced that there is no other recourse but to raise their collective voices to demand the tyrant’s resignation or cause his ouster. The Filipino people know better than to wait for a vaccine or to wait for 2022, knowing full well the grave situation that Duterte can put the country into within that time.

Clouds of a perfect storm continue to gather. The people’s rumblings of discontent steadily grow stronger and await an opportunity to explode in a conflagration that will surely terrorize the tyrant and surpass his worst nightmares. Soon enough, the Filipino people will be able to overcome the regime’s reign of terror, surmount state repression and bring together large numbers of people in an exercise of the people’s power. Duterte likes to believe that he has surpassed Marcos for having established a dictatorship without yet declaraing martial law. But in the end, he will prove to be no different from Marcos, who was driven away by the invincible force of a united people.

As the detested regime intensifies its antidemocratic and anticommunist tirades and attacks, the Filipino people, especially the youth, are becoming more open to revolutionary propaganda and education. The pandemic has laid bare the ills of the semicolonial and semifeudal society which can only be resolved through a people’s democratic revolution.

By tirelessly arousing, organizing and mobilizing the people, the revolutionary movement is rapidly expanding and strengthening its ranks both in the underground mass movement and in the armed movement in the countryside. The Filipino people’s national democratic aspirations are ever fervent and irrepressible.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/people-turning-to-revolution-because-of-dutertes-tyranny-and-failed-pandemic-response/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Mga sakahan sa Samar, 88 beses kinanyon ng 8th ID

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Mga sakahan sa Samar, 88 beses kinanyon ng 8th ID

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

Walumpu’t walong beses na kinanyon ng 8th ID ang mga sakahan sa mga barangay ng San Jose de Buan sa Western Samar noong Hulyo 14 at 29. Nagresulta ito sa pagbabakwit ng 50 magsasaka mula sa kalapit na mga komunidad.

Hindi bababa sa 64 bala ng mortar at howitzer ang pinabugso ng militar sa mga sakahan sa Mt. Huraw malapit sa sentrong bayan ng San Jose de Buan noong Hulyo 14. Sinundan ito ng 24 na panganganyon gamit ang mga mortar sa magubat na bahagi ng Sityo Salvacion, Barangay San Nicolas noong Hulyo 29. Walang yunit ng hukbong bayan ang nag-ooperasyon sa erya sa panahon ng panganganyon. Isinagawa ng militar ang pang-aatake gayong alam nila na ang mga eryang ito ang pangunahing pinagkukunan ng mga residente ng pagkain at kabuhayan. Dito sila nangangaso ng makakain at kumukuha ng ratan na kanilang ibinebenta.

Bago nito, inaresto ng mga sundalo ang magsasakang si David Dacles habang pauwi sa kanyang bahay sa Sityo Salvacion noong Hulyo 25. Kasalukuyang nakadetine at iniinteroga ang biktima sa kampo militar sa Barangay Cantato, Paranas.

Mag-asawang magsasaka, pinaslang sa Northern Samar

Patay ang mag-asawang magsasaka na sina Alberto at Maritess Durin nang walang patumanggang pagbabarilin ang kanilang bahay ng mga elemento ng CAFGU sa ilalim ng 20th IB sa Barangay Natawo, Palapag, Northern Samar noong Hulyo 26. Sugatan din ang apo ng mga biktima na isang menor-de edad. Ito na ang ikalawang kaso ng walang walang patumanggang pamamaril sa Palapag mula Hunyo.

Naiulat din kamakailan ang pagpaslang ng mga ahenteng militar kay Nonoy Truza, konsehal ng barangay at tagapangulo ng asosasyon ng mga benepisyaryo ng repormang agraryo sa Barangay Nagbinlod, Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental noong huling linggo ng Hunyo.

Mga katutubong Tumandok, inaresto sa Negros Occidental

Magkakasabay na inaresto ng mga elemento ng 62nd IB ang mga katutubong Tumandok na sina Martin Lindayao, Wenie Carillo at Demas Lindayao sa Barangay San Agustin, Isabela, Negros Occidental noong Hulyo 2, alas-7 ng umaga. Bahagi ang insidente ng nagpapatuloy na nakapokus na operasyong militar ng naturang yunit sa erya.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/mga-sakahan-sa-samar-88-beses-kinanyon-ng-8th-id/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Ang dinastiya ng pamilyang Duterte

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Ang dinastiya ng pamilyang Duterte

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

Sa kanyang State of the Nation Address 2020 noong Hunyo 27, paulit-ulit na inatake ni Rodrigo Duterte si Sen. Franklin Drilon na naghamon sa kanya na itulak ang pagsasabatas sa Anti-Dynasty Bill. Panukala ni Drilon na ipagbawal ang sabayang pagtakbo ng mga magkamag-anak sa mga elektibong pusisyon sa reaksyunaryong guberno. Lubhang ikinagalit ni Duterte ang umano’y paghalimbawa ng senador sa kanyang pamilya bilang isang dinastiyang pulitikal.
Pitumpu’t apat na taon at tatlong henerasyon nang nasa poder ang pamilyang Duterte.

Nakapasok ang pamilyang ito sa pulitika noong 1946 nang itinalaga ng noo’y rehimeng Osmeña si Atty. Vicente Duterte, ama ni Rodrigo, bilang pansamantalang meyor ng Danao, Cebu. Matapos lumipat sa Davao City sa 1949, nahalal bilang gubernador ng syudad si Vicente noong 1959. Itinalaga niya si Rodrigo bilang Secretary of the Department of General Services ng lunsod noong 1965. Sa Cebu, naging alkalde ng syudad ang kapatid ni Vicente na si Ramon Duterte noong 1957. Naging alkalde rin ng Cebu City ang anak ni Ramon na si Ronald noong 1986.

Si Rodrigo Duterte ay pangalawang henerasyon sa dinastiya ng kanyang pamilya. Tatlumpu’t dalawang taon na siyang walang putol na nakaupo sa poder. Una siyang itinalaga bilang officer-in-charge (OIC) o pansamantalang bise ng meyor ng Davao City ng rehimeng Aquino noong 1986. Dala ang pangalan ng kanyang ama, nahalal siya bilang alkalde noong 1988 at nanatiling mayor hanggang 1998. Para ikutan ang mga limitasyon sa termino, tumakbo siya bilang kongresista ng unang distrito ng lunsod noong 1998 at pinalitan siya ng kanyang anak na si Sarah. Naging meyor ulit siya noong 2001-2010 at mula 2013-2016 hanggang sa siya ay tumakbo bilang pangulo. Bise siya ni Sarah sa 2010-2013. Habang nasa poder, ang kapatid niyang si Emmanuel ang kanyang personal na kalihim.

Sa ngayon, dominado ng kanyang mga anak ang lokal na gubyerno ng Davao City. Ang panganay niya na si Paolo ang kongresista sa unang distrito, habang sina Sarah at Sebastian ay alkalde at bise alkalde ng lunsod. Ambisyon si Sarah na maluklok kundiman bilang presidente katulad ng kanyang ama, ay sa isang mataas na pusisyong pampubliko. Pangarap naman ni Rodrigo na mapalawig ang pananatili niya sa poder o ng kanyang hihiranging tagasunod.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/ang-dinastiya-ng-pamilyang-duterte/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Reklamo ng mga mamahayag kontra panggigipit

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Reklamo ng mga mamahayag kontra panggigipit

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

NAGSAMPA NG REKLAMO noong Hulyo 30 ang mga mamamahayag ng Altermidya, Pinoy Weekly, Kodao Productions at Bulatlat sa Commission on Human Rights laban sa patuloy na pagbabanta sa kanila ng National Task Force to End the Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) at Philippine National Police.

Bahagi ng reklamo ang pagkumpiska ng mga pulis sa libu-libong kopya ng magasing Pinoy Weekly noong Hulyo 26 sa upisina ng Kadamay sa Villa Lois, Pandi, Bulacan. Pilit na pinalabas ng pulis na subersibo ang mga magasin. Naghain din ng hiwalay na reklamo ang isa sa mga patnugot ng Bulatlat na si Danilo Arao dahil sa pagkakadawit sa kanyang pangalan sa gawa-gawang “Oust Duterte Matrix” noong nakaraang taon.

Inaresto sa parehong insidente si Rose Fortaleza na inakusahang namamahagi ng subersibong dokumento. Dinala siya sa presinto at sinampahan ng kasong pagsuway sa awtoridad.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/reklamo-ng-mga-mamahayag-kontra-panggigipit/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Pagtatayo ng mga detatsment sa NCMR, binatikos

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Pagtatayo ng mga detatsment sa NCMR, binatikos

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

PARANG MGA KABUTENG nagsusulputan ang mga detatsment ng militar sa Northern Mindanao sa gitna ng pandemya. Imbes na mga barangay health clinic, anim na detatsment ang itinayo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa nakaraang limang buwan. Ang mga ito ay nasa Barangay Durian, Las Nieves, Agusan del Norte; Balagnan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; Sityo Kipunay, Eureka, Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental; Sityo Pangagpungan, Kalabuan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur; at sa Sityo Mahayag, Namnam, San Fernando, Bukidnon. Walang kakayahan ang mga barangay na ito laban sa Covid-19 at nakaasa sa kalakhan ang mamamayan dito sa mga boluntir para sa kanilang mga medikal na pangangailangan.

Sa isang pahayag, binatikos ng Rebolusyonaryong Organisasyon sa Lumad (ROL) sa rehiyon ang nagpapatuloy na militarisasyon sa mga komunidad ng Lumad. Wala silang nakikitang “bagong normal” sa teror, gutom at hirap na dala ng paghahari ni Duterte at ng kanyang AFP. Sa ngayon, mayroong 16 batalyon sa rehiyon at 189 detatsment ng militar. Ang 163 rito ay mga detatsment ng CAFGU, na kalakha’y mga magsasakang pwersahang nirekrut ng AFP.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/pagtatayo-ng-mga-detatsment-sa-ncmr-binatikos/

CPP/Ang Bayan: 141 aktibista, inaresto sa araw ng SONA

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): 141 aktibista, inaresto sa araw ng SONA

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

Sa ulat ng mga organisasyong masa, umabot sa 141 na nasa rali o papunta pa lamang sa rali ang inaresto ng mga pulis noong Hulyo 23.

Sa Metro Manila, 34 ang inarestong aktibista kasama ang limang myembro ng PISTON at 24 aktibista sa Marikina City. Sa Southern Tagalog, umabot sa 85 aktibista na papunta sa pagkilos sa University of the Philippines-Los Banos ang inaresto at pinigilang pumunta sa rali. Kabilang dito ng 62 myembro ng Bayan-Cavite na hinarang at idinetine nang tatlong oras bago sila sinabihang kailangan nila ng travel pass para tumuloy.

Sa Bulacan, inaresto ng mga pulis ang apat na residente na myembro ng Kadamay-Pandi na nag-post ng larawan sa social media bilang pakikiisa sa rali sa UP. Tapos na ang aktwal na protestang online nang sila’y arestuhin sa kanilang mga bahay at dinala sa presinto nang walang kaso. Pinalaya ang apat noon lamang Agosto 5. Labingtatlo naman na papunta sa rali sa UP-Diliman ang inaresto sa San Jose del Monte.

Sa Tuguegarao, apat na aktibista ang dinakip, kabilang si Joshua Buyogan ng UP Baguio Outcrop na noo’y kumukuha ng mga larawan para sa dyaryong pangkampus. Sa Cebu, pinatigil ng pulis ang isang online na pagkulturang pagtatanghal nang walang ibinigay na dahilan.

Sa lahat ng mga kaso, pare-parehong “paglabag sa kwarantina” ang dahilan ng mga pulis sa mga pang-aaresto. Ayon sa mga abugado, wala itong basehan sa anumang batas. Hindi rin mga batas ang mga resolusyon at utos ng IATF kaya hindi maaaring gamiting dahilan.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/141-aktibista-inaresto-sa-araw-ng-sona/

CPP/Ang Bayan: SONAgkaisang protesta, idinaos

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): SONAgkaisang protesta, idinaos

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

Muling nagtipon sa University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, Quezon City ang mga pambansa-demokratikong organisasyon, tradisyunal na oposisyon at iba pang mga grupo at indibidwal noong Hulyo 21. Ito ay sa kabila ng pagbabawal ni Eduardo Año ng Department of Interior and Local Government na maglunsad ng rali sa araw ng State of the Nation Address (SONA) ni Rodrigo Duterte. Ginamit ni Año ang kwarantina para ipagbawal ang pagtitipon at sikilin ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magpahayag ng disgusto sa inutil, korap, papet at pasistang rehimen.

Pinangunahan ang pagkilos ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) at mga organisasyon nito. Nilahukan ito ng iba’t ibang sektoral na grupo sa ilalim ng banderang “SONAgkaisa.” Dumalo sa rali ang mga manggagawa sa kalusugan na nakasuot ng personal protective gear, mga titser, taong simbahan, kabataan at estudyante, syentista, abugado, manggagawa, magsasaka, mamamalakaya, maralitang lunsod at iba pa. Imbes na sa Batasan Pambansa, nagmartsa ang mga kinatawan ng blokeng Makabayan, suot-suot ang mga espesyal na damit na naglalaman ng mga panawagan laban sa Anti-Terror Law, para sa ligtas at de kalidad na edukasyon at iba pa. Mula sa kanilang istasyon sa Mother Ignacia St, bumyahe ang mga manggagawa ng ABS-CBN tungong UP. Sa taya ng Bayan, umabot sa 8,000 ang dumalo sa pagtitipon na ginanap mula alas-10 ng umaga hanggang alas-12 ng tanghali.

Sa Tondo, Maynila, raling iglap ang inilunsad ng ilang kabataan at drayber para makaiwas sa pang-aaresto. Dumiretso naman sa Quiapo Church ang ibang raliyista para magsimba. Doon, walang kaabug-abog na hinablot ng mga pulis ang dala-dala nilang mga plakard habang nagaganap ang misa.

Sa hapon, inilunsad ang isang konsyertong online ng mga batikang manganganta na tinawag na “Tinig ng Bayan.” Dito, nagkaroon ng sabayang pagkanta ng “Di Nyo Ba Naririnig?” na kinatampukan nina Angel Locsin at iba pang kilalang mga artista. Isa ring music video ng kantang “Rage” (Galit) ng bandang The Jerks, na nilahukan nina Martin Nievera at iba pa, ang ipinalabas sa Facebook.

Sa Cagayan Valley, kinalembang ang mga kampana sa mga simbahang Katoliko bilang pakikiisa sa mga protesta sa Isabela at Tuguegarao. Sinabayan din ng pagkalembang ng kampana ng mga simbahang Katoliko ang protesta ng mga pambansa-demokratikong grupo sa Baguio City.
Sa Bicol, nagkaroon ng mga rali sa Legazpi City, Albay, Naga City at Catanduanes. Sa Davao City, arbitraryong pinigilan ng mga pulis ang una sanang pagtitipon sa Freedom Park sa ilalim ng lockdown sa pamamagitan ng paghingi ng “pass” sa mga nagsidalo, kahit pa hindi ito rekisito. Itinuloy na lamang ng mga raliyista ang pagkilos sa harap ng upisina ng Kilusang Mayo Uno sa syudad.

Nagkaroon din ng pagkilos sa Laguna, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, Bacolod, Cebu at Ozamis.

Sa US, naglabas ng pinag-isang pahayag at nagsagawa ng mga pagkilos ang mga balangay ng Bayan sa New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Chicago, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco-Bay Area, Los Angeles at Hawaii. Sa San Francisco, nagkaraban ang 80 sasakyan at dumalo ang 300 katao sa pagtitipong tinawag na Northern California State of the Nation Address. Ipinanawagan nila ang pagpapatalsik kay Duterte. Sa Washington DC, isang rali din ang inilunsad sa Howard University Hospital tungong Philippine Embassy.

Naglunsad din ng katulad na protesta sa Canada. Nagrali naman ang Anakbayan-France malapit sa Eiffel Tower ng Paris.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/sonagkaisang-protesta-idinaos/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Fidel V. Agcaoili, 75

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Fidel V. Agcaoili, 75

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020

Bumuhos ang mga parangal at pag-alaala kay Fidel V. Agcaoili matapos inianunsyo ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines ang kanyang pagpanaw noong Hulyo 23. Si Ka Fidel ay Tagapangulo ng Negotiating Panel ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) sa usapang pangkapayapaan nito sa Gubyerno ng Pilipinas mula 2016. Pumanaw si Ka Fidel, alas-12 ng tanghali sa Utrecht, The Netherlands. Krinemeyt (ginawang abo) ang kanyang labi noong Hulyo 31 matapos ang isang programang dinaluhan ng pinakamalalapit niyang kaibigan at kasama. Hindi nakadalo ang kanyang pamilya, at marami pang mga kaibigan, kakilala at kasama, dulot ng mga restriksyon sa byahe dala ng pandemya.

“Napakabilis ng mga pangyayari,” paglalahad ni Ka Coni Ledesma kaugnay sa pagkamatay ni Ka Fidel. “Isang minuto dumudugo lang ang ilong niya, maya-maya, nawalan na siya ng malay.” Hindi na siya umabot sa ospital. Ayon sa mga duktor, namatay siya sa pulmonary arterial rupture (pagputok ang daluyan ng dugo mula sa baga tungong puso) na nagdulot ng internal na pagdurugo. Kinlaro ng NDFP na walang kinalaman sa Covid-19 ang kanyang pagkamatay.

Hirap makapaniwala ang mga kasama at kaibigan sa pagpanaw ni Ka Fidel. Ayon sa kay Nwel Saturay, isang kaibigang litratista, isa si Ka Fidel sa mga taong “punung-puno ng buhay, at hindi mo iisiping mangangailangan ng isang litratong pamparangal, at kung sakali man, sa matagal na matagal pang panahon.” Kilala siya bilang masayahin, palabiro at madaling biruin, madaling makapagpalagayan ng loob pareho ng mga bata at matatanda. Dahil dito ay nakilala siya bilang “Pidolps” noong bata-bata pa siya at dahil na rin sa pagkahawig niya sa komedyanteng si Dolphy.

“Terible, bok!” ang madalas na marinig sa kanya, laluna kung nagbibiro, ayon kay Atty. Edre Olalia, abugado ng panel ng NDFP. May mga pagkakataong inisin at umiinit din ang ulo niya, ayon sa abugado, pero lagi siyang mapagkumbaba.

Sa isang interbyu kay Ka Fidel, kinilala niyang lahat ng tao ay namamatay. Aniya, kinikilala maging ng ilang burges na pilosopo na “ang kahulugan ng buhay ay nasa pagtulong sa iba, para magkaroon ng pagbabago, para mailuwal ang isang pandaigdigang lipunang makatarungan at pantay-pantay.” Sa parehong panayam, sinabi niyang tama ang tinahak niyang landas at kung mabibigyan ng isa pang pagkakataon ay ito pa rin ang kanyang pipiliin. “Hindi ako nagsisisi,” aniya. “Mananatili ako sa kilusan hanggang sa ako’y mamatay.”

Hindi alintana ni Ka Fidel ang sakripisyo. Siya ang pinakamatagal na ikinulong na detenido (11 taon) sa panahon ng diktadurang Marcos. Sa pag-alaala ng mag-asawang Lou at Raffy Baylosis, “datnan at panawan si Ka Fidel ng mga detinido” pero nakangiti pa rin siya at nananatiling matatag habang kumakaway sa mga unang nakakalaya. Sa nagdaang mga dekada, malayo si Ka Fidel sa kanyang pamilya. Ito ay para makaiwas sa mga banta sa kanyang buhay ng paksyong Enrile-Honasan-RAM paksyon noong panahon ng rehimeng Cory Aquino.

Nitong huling mga taon, nagkaroon siya ng oportunidad na makasalamuha ang mga Pulang mandirigma at rebolusyonaryong mamamayan sa mga larangang gerilya. Naging panauhing pandangal siya sa selebrasyon ng ika-46 anibersaryo ng Partido sa Agusan del Sur kung saan nakasama niya si Ka Oris. Personal siyang hinintay ni Ka Oris bago magbukas ang Ika-2 Kongreso ng Partido noong 2018 pero dahil sa kahirapan sa seguridad at ibang gawain, hindi siya pisikal na nakadalo. Gulat at lungkot ang naramdaman ng mga kasamang nakasalamuha niya sa kanayunan nang mabalitaan ang kanyang biglaang pagpanaw.

Pinakamataas na pagpupuri ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Jose Maria Sison, pinunong tagapagtatag ng PKP, at isa sa pinakamalapit niyang kaibigan at kasama. Ayon kay Ka Joma, marapat lamang na bigyang pugay si Ka Fidel bilang bantog na makabayan at isang kapita-pitagang komunista, kahit base lamang sa kung ano ang alam ng publiko sa kanya.

Ginawaran si Ka Fidel ng pinakamataaas na pagpupugay ng Komite Sentral ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP). (Basahin ang espesyal na isyu ng Ang Bayan, Hulyo 29.) Una siyang naging myembro ng Komite Sentral ng Partido noong 1970. Nagbigay-pugay din ang BHB ng Pulang saludo sa pahayag na inilabas ni Ka Oris.

Nagpaabot ng pakikiramay ang mga mamamahayag at iba pang myembro ng midya na nakasalamuha niya, mga organisasyong masa sa loob at labas ng bansa, mga partido komunista, at ang gubyerno ng Norway na namamagitan sa usapang pangkapayapaan.

Sa darating na Agosto 8, magiging 76 anyos na sana siya. Kaugnay nito, idineklara ng Komite Sentral ng PKP ang Agosto 8 bilang Araw ng Pag-alala at Parangal para kay Ka Fidel. Inatasan ang mga Pulang mandirigma na itanghal ang kanilang mga sandata sa bukang-liwayway bilang parangal ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan kay Ka Fidel.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/fidel-v-agcaoili-75/

CPP/Ang Bayan: Mga opensiba ng BHB laban sa mapanirang pagmimina

Propaganda article from the Tagalog language edition of Ang Bayan posted to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Website (Aug 7, 2020): Mga opensiba ng BHB laban sa mapanirang pagmimina

ANG BAYAN
AUGUST 07, 2020


Magkakasunod na aksyong militar ang inilunsad ng Bagong Hukbong Bayan (BHB) para pigilan ang mapandambong na operasyon sa pagmimina sa Western Samar at South Cotabato mula Hunyo hanggang Hulyo.

Western Samar. Target ng mga opensiba ng BHB ang mga tropa ng 8th ID na nagsasagawa ng operasyong panseguridad para bigyang daan ang Samar Bauxite Project ng kumpanyang Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Tinatayang sasaklawin ng mapandambong na operasyong minang ito ang 12,231 ektarya ng lupa sa prubinsya na mayaman sa bauxite. Ang Marcventures ay pag-aari ng pamilyang Alcantara ng Davao.

Noong Hulyo 1, isang sundalo ang napatay sa operasyong isnayp ng BHB sa Barangay Beri Motiong. Pagkatapos ng insidente, umatras ang yunit militar sa erya kasama ng iba pang mga sundalong nagkampo sa limang kalapit na baryo sa takot na muling mabigwasan.

Noong Hulyo 7, dalawang sundalo ulit ang napatay sa operasyon isnayp ng BHB sa Barangay San Nicolas, San Jose de Buan. Bilang ganti, magkakasunod na paglabag sa karapatang-tao ang isinagawa ng militar militar sa sumunod na linggo. (Basahin ang kaugnay na artikulo sa pahina 7.)

South Cotabato. Pinaralisa ng BHB noong Hunyo 15 ang mga kagamitan ng kumpanyang Gemma Construction Company, lokal na kontraktor ng mga susing proyektong imprastruktura ng rehimeng Duterte sa Far South Mindanao Region. Naganap ang insidente sa Purok Pag-asa, Barangay Veterans, Surallah. Tinatayang nagkakahalagang P23 milyon ang mga kagamitang sinunog, kabilang ang mga backhoe, payloader at dump truck.

Ang kumpanya ay responsable sa pagtatayo ng mga kalsada sa naturang lugar na direktang nagsisilbi sa Tampakan Copper-Gold Project, isang operasyon sa pagmimina na malawakang nagpapalayas sa mga katutubong Lumad at sumisira sa kanilang lupang ninuno. Pakikinabangan din ito ng mga kumpanya sa agribisnes na agresibong nagpapalawak ng kani-kanilang operasyon sa lugar.

Ang naturang kumpanya ay pagmamay-ari ng negosyanteng si Lora Uy. Nagmamay-ari din ang pamilyang Uy ng daan-daang ektaryang plantasyon ng saging sa T’boli, South Cotabato at notoryus sa pagpapalayas ng mga katutubo sa kanilang mga lupain.

Sa kaugnay na balita, inanunsyo ni Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Sec. Roy Cimatu noong Hulyo 22 ang muling pagbubukas sa operasyon sa pagmimina ng mga kumpanyang ipinasara at sinuspinde noon ng dating kalihim ng kagawaran na si Gina Lopez. Hindi pinangalanan ni Cimatu ang mga kumpanya. Matatandaang 26 na kumpanya ang ipinasara ni Gina Lopez noong 2016 dahil sa pagdambong ng mga ito sa kalikasan.

Samantala, tatlong sundalo naman ang napatay sa tatlong magkakasunod na engkwentro sa Barangay Baluan, Palimbang, Sultan Kudarat noong Hulyo 26. Isang Pulang mandirigma naman ang namartir.

Isang tropa din 72nd DRC ang napatay habang tatlo ang nasugatan nang pasabugan sila ng BHB sa Barangay Dili, Sta. Cruz, Ilocos Sur, noong Hulyo 31.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

https://cpp.ph/2020/08/07/mga-opensiba-ng-bhb-laban-sa-mapanirang-pagmimina/

'Not light threats': Groups slam military for tagging Bacolod youth activists as 'terrorists'

From Rappler (Aug 7, 2020): 'Not light threats': Groups slam military for tagging Bacolod youth activists as 'terrorists' (By KHAELA C. VIJAR)

'This is proof of the anti-terror law claiming its first victims, who were neither the terrorists nor imminent threats to the government that the law aimed to quell, but rather mere concerned youngsters,' says the Bacolod Youth Alliance

Youth groups have condemned the military for tagging youth activitists in Negros Island as "terrorists," calling this "proof" of the dangers of the new anti-terror law.

The groups – including League of Filipino Students (LFS)- Bacolod, Akbayan Youth, Anakbayan-Negros, Bacolod Youth Alliance, and Bahaghari – condemned the 303rd Infantry Brigade in a solidarity statement on Thursday, August 6.

“We condemn the unsolicited posts of the 303rd Infantry Brigade’s Facebook account ‘Brown Eagle’ tagging the Bacolodnon youth and student activists as terrorists," said the Bacolod Youth Alliance, a coalition of youth activists in Negros Island.

"We stand in solidarity with the victims of this cyber libel and harassment, as well as call unto the youth not to let this deter us from speaking the truth and holding our public officials accountable,” they added.

The youth groups said the social media posts are not “light threats," citing the signing of the anti-terror law which has been widely criticized for its broad definition of what constitutes an act of terrorism – seen to silence dissent.

“This is proof of the anti-terror law claiming its first victims, who were neither the terrorists nor imminent threats to the government that the law aimed to quell, but rather mere concerned youngsters who know whatever tyranny done today will have great burden on their future,” said the Bacolod Youth Alliance.

Using photos taken during a protest at the Bacolod public plaza, the Brown Eagle Facebook page, which identifies itself as the official Facebook page of the 303rd Infantry Brigade in Bacolod, red-tagged several members of the League of Filipino Students (LFS)-Bacolod and the Bacolod Youth Alliance in at least two separate social media posts. They them as “terrorists and virus carriers.”

Red-tagging is defined by the Supreme Court as the "labelling, branding, naming and accusing individuals and/or organizations of being left-leaning, subversives, communists, or terrorists (used as) a strategy...by State agents, particularly law enforcement agencies and the military, against those perceived to be 'threats' or 'enemies of the State."

The photos were taken from a State of the Nation Address protest held last July 27, which were originally uploaded by LFS-Bacolod in their Facebook page. Aside from the LFS-Bacolod logo, the photos featured 9 members of the same youth group and 3 members of the Bacolod Youth Alliance.

In the graphics posted by the military unit, members from League of Filipino Students-Bacolod and the Bacolod Youth Alliance were branded with statements such as “SONAgkaisa ng mga virus na terorista! (The virus that is terrorists band together)” and “Kabataang tinaguriang pag-asa ng bayan, sariling gobyerno kinalaban (Youth seen as the hope of the nation fight its own government).”

On August 6, the Brown Eagle page once again red-tagged the youth activists by sharing a graphic posted by a certain Ramon Chua that features a photo collage of the protesters with the statements “SONAgkaisa ng mga virus na terorista” and “certified terorista.”

The graphic also features a photo of Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria “Joma” Sison, along with the statement, “Magrally pa kayo at sabay nating isisi sa gobyerno ang pagtaas ng kaso ng COVID-19 (Continue to rally and let’s blame the government together for the rise of COVID-19 cases).”

All these posts were also amplified by the main 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Facebook page.

In their statement, the youth groups clarified that the protesters who took part in the rally wore face masks and observing physical distancing, as required. They also secured a permit to assemble from the city and coordinated their plans with city officials.

“[We] demand that the harrassing photos be taken down from their page, and that the Infantry Brigade be held accountable for their actions,” Bacolod Youth Alliance added.

League of Filipino Students-Bacolod stressed how these attempts to red-tag activists could threaten their safety in light of the anti-terror law. Despite being legally recognized as a youth organization, they still found themselves being branded as "terrorists" by the state.

MUST READ: Gov’t platforms being used to attack, red-tag media

“The recently passed Anti-Terror Law will only aggravate such practices by authorities, with just about anyone who is unfavored vulnerable to being labeled as a terrorist without due process,” Bacolod Youth Alliance said

The controversial law has been challenged by many groups and individuals for its supposed unconstitutional provisions that abridges fundamental rights including freedom of speech and expression. Under the law, a suspected terrorist could be detained for 14 days without a warrant.

LFS-Bacolod noted how government efforts to red-tag the youth only showed it is “afraid of the growing youth and student movement that can be seen in the various successful mobilizations conducted nationwide."

MUST READ: Lives in danger as red-tagging campaign intensifies

Aside from standing in solidarity with the red-tagging victims, the Bacolod Youth Alliance called on to the youth not to let the situation deter them from speaking the truth.

They also urged lawmakers to pass the human rights defenders bill, which will not only prevent the same incident from happening again but will also protect every citizen’s most basic fundamental rights.

The 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have not yet released a statement regarding the matter. As of writing, the controversial posts are still on their Facebook page. –

https://rappler.com/moveph/groups-slam-red-tagging-bacolod-youth-amid-anti-terror-law

Brunei's Twp-Step Approach to the South China Sea

Commentary posted to War on the Rocks (Aug 7, 2020): Brunei's Twp-Step Approach to the South China Sea (By JOSHUA ESPEÑA AND CHELSEA UY BOMPING)

Image: U.S. Navy (Photo by Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Christopher Veloicaza)

[Editor’s Note: A version of this article was originally published by The Interpreter, which is published by the Lowy Institute, an independent, nonpartisan think tank based in Sydney. War on the Rocks is proud to be publishing select articles from The Interpreter.]

On July 20, after a long period silence on the issue, the Brunei Darussalam Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement declaring that it “maintains its two-step approach in addressing the South China Sea.” As bland as this statement sounds, it represents a critical development in the tiny sultanate’s views on the region and a rising China.

Brunei’s two-step approach indicates that while the mechanism for conflict resolution is bilateral and adherent to the 1982 U.N. Convention for the Law of the Sea, it also stresses the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-China code of conduct.

But putting aside the details, there is symbolism in the fact that Brunei chose to speak at all. The statement comes after a series of pronouncements made by the Philippines, China, the United States, and Vietnam on their positions on the South China Sea. Furthermore, the 36th ASEAN Summit under Vietnam’s leadership emphasized the need to address the challenges in the region and reaffirm the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

Brunei has claims to Louisa Reef, Owen Shoal, and Rifleman Bank, all of which Brunei declared in 1984 as features in its exclusive economic zone. However, Brunei is the only country among the claimant states that does not assert sovereignty over these islands, nor does it have any military presence there.

The statement makes clear that the long-silent claimant has spoken. But how loudly will it be heard in the region and beyond?

For decades, the tiny sultanate state has relied on oil reserves to sustain itself and the ruling monarchy. As its domestic reserves are not enough to sustain the country in the coming decades, however, Brunei must find new ways to secure its economy.

China has launched a “charm offensive” to take advantage of Brunei’s declining economy through channeling investments and infrastructure projects in the country. “In exchange for US$6 billion of Chinese investment into an oil refinery and local infrastructure, along with promises to boost trade and agricultural cooperation,” China has effectively managed to buy Brunei’s silence on the South China Sea — until now.

Brunei’s statement seems to present a unified front with the Philippines and Vietnam, in preparation for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2021, where ASEAN and China hope to finalize the formulation of the code of conduct to reduce tensions in the South China Sea. However, Brunei’s insistence that specific issues in the maritime region should be addressed bilaterally syncs with Beijing’s position, indicating that the country is still dependent on Chinese investment.

As the second-wealthiest member of ASEAN in per capita terms, it is paramount for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to maintain the economic status quo to ensure the stability of the sultanate.

Everything revolves around the sultan in Brunei. The Bruneian people subscribe to the Melayu Islam Beraja, the Malay Islamic Monarchy, as their political identity. As a result, Brunei’s strategic culture is infused with the notion that everything, including the determination of threats, is gauged by the sultan.

The most recent security effort of Brunei is the 2011 defense white paper, which assesses that the region is becoming more unstable, with major powers rebalancing their role and influence. With respect to the South China Sea, Brunei views a collective approach as necessary to secure maritime traffic amid unresolved boundaries, growing naval capabilities and major-power competition. With one of the weakest Southeast Asian military forces, in terms of both size and capability, Brunei seeks to work cooperatively with other states, rather than confronting geostrategic challenges.

The pursuit of a collective approach speaks to Brunei’s preference for neutrality and constructiveness to increase its international reputation. However, with today’s strategic environment, Brunei sees the need to endorse China’s proposal for bilateral cooperation in resolving certain issues in the South China Sea thanks to Beijing’s charm offensive. This development has made a discrepancy between Brunei’s defense and foreign policies.

The white paper is out of date and out of step with the current political environment. At the time of its creation, the leading defense and security concerns were terrorism and environmental disasters, not rising geopolitical competition. Today, however, what matters in their contribution to international peace and security efforts reaches far beyond their backyard.

A longstanding special relationship with the United Kingdom has significantly affected Bruneian strategic culture. After Brunei’s independence in 1984, the British modestly maintained a light infantry battalion in the country, with a few army air corps squadrons in place at the request of the sultan. Through a memorandum of understanding, renewed every five years, Brunei enjoys British presence for goodwill visits, training, exercises and education.

The British presence in Brunei has strategic value, especially with the rising tensions in the South China Sea. Undermining Bruneian interests would potentially provoke the British to be more present in the region. In other words, if Chinese gray-zone tactics persist in the Bruneian exclusive economic zone, then the British likely will have more reason to conduct regular freedom-of-navigation operations in the South China Sea.

The Brunei statement reflects the country’s complicated — and possibly conflicted — strategic outlook. It wants to present itself as a trustworthy member of ASEAN, while also keeping its robust economic relations with China. At the same time, it is also secured by the British presence in the area, which, with the threat of tipping over into a wider conflict, acts as a deterrent to China.

The meaning of the statement is important to consider as Brunei looks to take regional leadership with the ASEAN chairmanship in 2021. Moreover, the launch of its long-overdue defense white paper in 2021 will project just how Brunei intends to position itself in Southeast Asia in line with its strategic objectives. With of the arrival of the white paper, it may be anticipated that Brunei’s foreign and defense policies will synchronize in time for its ASEAN chairmanship.

[Joshua Bernard B. Espeña is a defense analyst in the Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in international studies at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.]

[Chelsea Anne A. Uy Bomping is a defense analyst in the Office of Naval Strategic Studies of the Philippine Navy. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in political science at the De La Salle University.]

https://warontherocks.com/2020/08/bruneis-two-step-approach-to-the-south-china-sea/

2 persons charged with murder arrested

From Palawan News (Aug 7, 2020): 2 persons charged with murder arrested (By Cyrus Garde)

BACOLOD City – Two murder suspects were arrested in Barangay Celestino Villacin, Cadiz City, Negros Occidental.

Police identified them as residents Julius Pabillar, 34, and Marcelo Barbon, 46.
Pabillar and Barbon were caught on the strength of an arrest warrant around 1 p.m. on Aug. 5, a police report showed.

The two were believed to be members of the defunct Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.

The suspects were placed under the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in this city.

http://www.panaynews.net/2-persons-charged-with-murder-arrested/

Abandoned remains of NPA fighter retrieved in Surigao del Sur

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 7, 2020): Abandoned remains of NPA fighter retrieved in Surigao del Sur (By Mike Crismundo)

Troops of Army’s 75th Infantry Battalion (75th IB) retrieved on Thursday the remains of a New People’s Army (NPA), which were allegedly abandoned by his comrades after an encounter on May 18, 2020.

The members of the 75th IB, together with the local officials, found the body of certain “Hill”, 19, alleged team leader of Platoon 1, Squad Dos, Guerrilla Front 30 (GF 30) of the CPP-NPA North Eastern Mindanao Regional Command (NEMRC).

The 75th IB report also said the body was already in an advanced state of decomposition when exhumed in a remote area of Sitio Kiskis, barangay Siagao, San Miguel, Surigao del Sur.

Initial investigation conducted by the police stated that alias “Hill” and his Platoon 1 of GF 30 clashed against military forces on May 18, 2020.

“His remains were reportedly hastily buried by the Communist terrorist group in a shallow grave to be forever forgotten,” said 75th IB Civil Military Operations (CMO) officer Capt. Edwin Leo Francisco in a statement.

He said the recovery of the cadaver was through the revelation of “Migs”, a former rebel, who was also a member of Platoon 1 and was there during the encounter.

The former rebel said that “Hill” was a member of Mamanwa tribe and a resident in Lanuza, Surigao del Sur.

The military brought Hill’s body to San Miguel police for proper documentation, identification and decent burial, the 75th IB CMO officer added.

https://mb.com.ph/2020/08/07/abandoned-remains-of-npa-fighter-retrieved-in-surigao-del-sur/

Kalinaw News: Kiwanis International namahagi ng Gamit Pampaaralan

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): Kiwanis International namahagi ng Gamit Pampaaralan

Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental – Ang Kiwanis International ay namahagi ng mga gamit pampaaralan sa mga estudyante ng elementarya sa gymnasium ng Brgy Magulibas ng nasabing munisipyo kahapon, August 6, 2020.

370 na kabataan ng Andress Yacon Elementary School at 530 naman na kabataan ng Mainit Elementary School ang nakatanggap ng mga gamit pampaaralan tulad ng notebook, folder, ballpen, bag, krayola, bond paper at tsinelas ang ibinahagi ng Kiwanis Club sa pamumuno ni PLG Corazon Verano at PLG Lorna Go sa kanilang Gift Giving Program. Layunin ng grupo na bigyan ng halaga ang mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng mga kagamitan na binibigay upang may magamit ang mga estudyante sa buong taong pagaaral.

Lubos ang pasasalamat ni LTC Ronaldo G Valdez sa Kiwanis International sa pagsisikap nilang ipaabot ang kanilang serbisyo sa mga malalayong lugar ng Davao Occidental at Sarangani Province na kung saan noong nakaraang taon ay namigay din sila ng mga kagamitan sa Alna Indigenious People School sa Malapatan, Sarangani Province.

Bakas ang saya ng mga kabataan na dumalo hindi lang dahil sa mga kagamitan kundi pati na rin sa sundalong maskot na nagpakitang gilas habang isinasagawa ang programa.

Ang Kiwanis International ay isang pandaigdigang grupo na kung saan nakatuon sila sa pagbibigay ng mga pangangailangan ng komunidad lalo na ang mga bata.







[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/kiwanis-international-namahagi-ng-gamit-pampaaralan/

Kalinaw News: Army troops rescue ranking NPA couple in Zamboanga del Norte

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): Army troops rescue ranking NPA couple in Zamboanga del Norte

CAMP SANG-AN, ZDS- A ranking Communist NPA couple, where husband was wounded, were rescued by Army’s 97th Infantry Battalion after an armed clash at So Kasong, Barangay Tinuyop, Leon B Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte Thursday morning, August 6, 2020.

The wounded NPA personalities were identified as alias Peewee, the commander of HQ KALAW and his wife alias Ritchie, who was also the Regional Medical Staff, of the Western Mindanao Regional Party Committee (WMRPC) who were abandoned by there comrades after the 15-minute firefight.

“A concerned civilian reported to our troops that the couple are signifying to voluntarily surrender when they were left behind by their fleeing comrades after the encounter”, Lt. Col. Manaros M Boransing, Commanding Officer, 97th IB said on his statement.

“They were badly wounded during the clash that transpired around 8:00 in the morning. Troops provided them medical first aid and brought them to our camp and eventually transferred them to 1st Infantry Division Station Hospital for further medical attention,” Lt. Col. Boransing added.

It can also be recalled that on Wednesday, alias Jekjek, was also rescued by the 97IB after the clash in Brgy Midatag of same town.
In local dialect, Peewee admitted that they were with alias Jekjek on the Wednesday’s encounter.

“We were disorganized, that is why we left Jekjek behind”, said alias Peewee.

“We were also tired and hungry evading the troops. The successive encounter and my lingering shoulder injury led me to surrender”, added Peewee.

Brigadier General Leonel M. Nicolas, the Commander of the Army’s 102nd Infantry IGSOON Brigade, who has operational jurisdiction of Zamboanga del Norte emphasized that the troops will continue to pursue all Communist Terrorist Groups (CTGs) operating in the region.

“The NPAs in Zamboanga Peninsula will now have a leadership crisis after this incident and we will pressure and continously encourage them to surrender” Brig. Gen. Nicolas said.

“The 102nd Infantry Brigade together with our partner stakeholders through the Executive Order No 70 or the Local Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict are commited in our efforts to achieve peace in the region,” Brig. Gen. Nicolas added.

Maj. Gen. Gene Ponio, Commander, 1st Infantry Division emphasized that the doors of the government is always open for those who still wish to avail the benefits of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

“I urged the remnants of the group, the wounded, the hungry members of the WMRPC to lay down their arms and return to the folds of law,” Maj. Gen. Ponio said.

“We assure you (NPA) that the Tabak troopers abide with the rules of engagement and respect the rights of the adversaries”, added Maj. Gen. Ponio.

The rescued CNTs underwent intensive medical check-up and treatment at Tabak Station Hospital as of this posting.





[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-troops-rescues-ranking-npa-couple-in-zamboanga-del-norte/

Kalinaw News: 26 former NPAs receive gov’t financial aid

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): 26 former NPAs receive gov’t financial aid

Davao de Oro — Twenty-six former members of the communist New People’s Army (NPAs) in this province received immediate financial assistance amounting to PHP 10,000 each from the Provincial Government of Davao de Oro while waiting the other benefits under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

The E-CLIP is one of the programs under the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), a body created by President Rodrigo Duterte through Executive Order No. 70.

It aims to ensure sustainable and inclusive peace and put an end to the 50-year armed conflict perpetrated by the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).The cash aid handed to the FRs led by Governor Jayvee Tyron L. Uy represented by Board Member Joseph T. Jauod, and Josephine M. Frasco, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) Department Head at the Capitol Old Session Hall on Tuesday.

Col. Glenn Jun C. Calambuhay, the deputy brigade commander of 1001st Brigade, Philippine Army, advised the FRs to be prudent in spending what they received from the government. “I urged you not to waste cash assistance. Instead, use this money as your capital in starting anew”.

“We in the military are happy to see you in deciding to return to the fold of the law and live a peaceful life in the mainstream society,” Calambuhay added.

A former rebel, who refused to be named for security reasons expressed his gratitude to the government in giving the financial assistance that will help in supporting their families.

“Dako sab akuang pasalamat nga gidawat ko sa gobyerno labina sa financial assistance nga ilahang gihatag isip dako kining tabang sa amua aron magamit namu sa negosyo ug makasugod mi sa among panginabuhian,” former rebel said.

Information gathered from the PSWDO showed that of the 26 FRs awarded, 11 surrendered to the 71st Infantry Battalion (IB), six in 25 IB, three in 60 IB, another three in 101 Military Intelligent Company (MICO), two in Regional Intelligent Unit XI, and one in 66 IB. Some of them are members of Indigenous People (IP).



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/26-former-npas-receive-govt-financial-aid/

Kalinaw News: Army troopers participated on Agri-Farming Orientation

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): Army troopers participated on Agri-Farming Orientation

MAGPET, COTABATO – Army’s 72 Infantry Battalion participated on the Orientation and Introduction of High Value Vegetables (Brocolli and Cabbage) production to the organized People’s Organization of Brgy Gayola (Gayola mapinanggaon Association) earlier this day, August 5, 2020.

The said barangay was the selected site by the City Agriculturist Office headed by Mrs. Marissa B Aton to become a Demo farm of said vegetables.

The said activity is part of the sustainment program of the Community Support Program of 72IB and also strenghtening the Integrated Territorial Defense System (ITDS) in the barangay.

Furthermore, it is also a sustainment efforts of 72IB’s Community Development Teams for the organized People’s Organization to uplift the livelihood of the residents.







[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-troopers-participated-on-agri-farming-orientation/

Kalinaw News: Army in AgNor Assists in Eagles Club’s Community Service for Former Rebels

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): Army in AgNor Assists in Eagles Club’s Community Service for Former Rebels

KICHARAO, Agusan Del Norte- The Former Rebels (FRs)assisted the members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cabadbaran City, Eagles Club in the conduct of their Community Service to the Former Rebels (FRs) on August 1, 2020, at headquarters 29IB, Brgy Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte.

The said organization provided ice cream for everyone and distributed food packs with rice, noodles, and canned goods for each FR’s family.

Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, Commanding officer of 29IB expressed his gratitude in his statement, “I am grateful to the Eagles Club Organization for choosing the FRs in the New Hope Village as beneficiaries of their Community Service.

This simple act of kindness and care which you have shown means a lot to them. I hope that your organization will continue to flourish as you continue to be a blessing to others.”

“The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit organization that unites fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality with a goal to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills, and by promoting peace, prosperity, gladness, and hope.” as stated in their mission statement.





[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/army-in-agnor-assists-in-eagles-clubs-community-service-for-former-rebels/

Kalinaw News: Matatag Fighters Welcome 36 Newly Assigned Privates

Posted to Kalinaw News (Aug 7, 2020): Matatag Fighters Welcome 36 Newly Assigned Privates

KICHARAO, Agusan Del Norte- The 29th Infantry “Matatag Fighters” Battalion under the leadership of Lt.Col. Isagani O. Criste welcomed and motivated the 36 newly assigned Privates at Headquarters 29IB, Brgy Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City on August 2, 2020.

Lt. Col. Isagani O. Criste, expressed his gratitude and expectations in his statement, ”You, young privates are heaven sent because you came at the very moment that the unit needed you the most. I know that you have been assigned here for a good reason. It’s not only to fight the enemy but also to show the true example of service to our fellowmen and our country.”

“The unit expects a lot from you as young warriors. Do what you are trained to do and never forget to uphold in your hearts and minds the standards that define a true Matatag Fighter. Let yourself be known as a fighter who fights the good fight and one who keeps the faith. In all your battles, do not forget to seek God’s help”, Criste emphasized.



[Kalinaw News is the official online source of information on the pursuit for peace in the Philippines This website is a property of the Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Philippine Army located at Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Contact us: kalinawnews@cmoregiment.com]

https://www.kalinawnews.com/matatag-fighters-welcome-36-newly-assigned-privates/

600 individuals flee clash between military, NPA in Bukidnon

From MindaNews (Aug 7, 2020): 600 individuals flee clash between military, NPA in Bukidnon (By H. MARCOS C. MORDENO)

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews / 07 August) – Around 600 individuals fled two sitios bordering Cabanglasan town in Bukidnon and Kapalong town in Davao del Norte after government troops clashed with suspected New People’s Army guerrillas on Friday last week.

Cabanglasan Mayor Renante Inocando, in an interview Friday with dxDB-Malaybalay said some evacuees stayed in Barangay Mandahikan, Cabanglasan and others at the municipal gymnasium.

Municipality of Cabanglasan, Bukidnon. Map courtesy of Google

Inocando, however, said the evacuees had returned to their homes on Monday.

He said one rebel was killed in the encounter with the 88th Infantry Battalion.

He said soldiers carrying the rebel’s body arrived in Cabanglasan three days after the encounter.

He added the fatality was a Lumad from Barangay Cawayan, San Fernando, Bukidnon.

“We no longer had the body embalmed because it was already decomposing. We just injected it with formalin before turning it over to the local government of Cawayan,” Inocando told dxDB.

The mayor said the evacuees expressed fears and anxiety, but he assured the incident was isolated.

Also in an interview with dxDB on Friday, 88IB commander Lt Col Franklin Fabic identified the slain guerrilla as alias Dodong, reportedly a squad leader of the rebel group.

Fabic said his men recovered an M16 rifle, mobile phones, personal belongings and documents at the encounter site.

He said the rebels retreated towards Agusan del Sur. (H. Marcos C. Mordeno/MindaNews)

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2020/08/600-individuals-flee-clash-between-military-npa-in-bukidnon/

Malaysia again trashes Philippines, Sultanate claims on Sabah

Posted to the Mindanao Examiner (Aug 7, 2020): Malaysia again trashes Philippines, Sultanate claims on Sabah

MALAYSIA STOOD firm again over its claim on the mineral-rich Sabah or North Borneo, just several hours by boat from the Filipino province of Tawi-Tawi.

The Sultanate of Sulu, founded in 1457, continues to lay claim to Sabah which it obtained from Brunei as a gift for helping put down a rebellion on Borneo Island. The British leased Sabah and transferred control over the territory to Malaysia after the end of World War II.

The Sulu Sultanate said it had merely leased North Borneo in 1878 to the British North Borneo Company for an annual payment of 5,000 Malayan dollars then, which was increased to 5,300 Malayan dollars in 1903.

The Sultanate of Sulu is believed to exist as a sovereign nation for at least 442 years. It stretches from a part of the island of Mindanao in the east, to Sabah, in the west and south, and to Palawan, in the north.

But North Borneo was annexed by Malaysia in 1963 following a referendum organised by the Cobbold Commission in 1962, the people of Sabah voted overwhelmingly to join Malaysia.

Sabah, part of Federation

On Wednesday, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein again said his country will not recognise any foreign claim for Sabah, adding, it belongs to Malaysia and will always be part of the Federation.

“We will not recognise, what more, meet any foreign claim for Sabah. At the same time, I want to categorically state here that Sabah is, and will always be, part of Malaysia. I also rebuked Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr and what I said is clear, Malaysia condemns and rejects his Twitter post that claimed Sabah is not part of Malaysia,” Hussein said.

Locsin, in a Twitter post, said: “Sabah is not in Malaysia if you want to have anything to do with the Philippines.”

His tweet was in response to the U.S. Embassy in Manila's tweet on their donation of hygiene kits to the deported Filipinos from Sabah who arrived in Tawi-Tawi province and Zamboanga City recently.

The U.S. Embassy said: “USAID donated 500 hygiene kits to the @dswdserves Region IX for the 395 returning Filipino repatriates from Sabah, Malaysia who arrived in Zamboanga City and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.”

Locsin said until now the U.S. Embassy has not taken down its tweet. “It started with a US Embassy tweet that hasn't been taken down. When the country united around (Philippine President Ferdinand) Marcos, including his critics, the US discouraged an attempt on our part to concretely assert our claim. The US didn't want us to add to their growing problem in Vietnam. History,” he said, referring to the Philippines’ claim of Sabah.

Marcos said the Philippines “acquired sovereignty and dominion over the territory of Sabah in accordance with a series of events, acts, agreements and transactions, including the Deed of Cession from the Sultan of Sulu of 1962 to the Philippines.”

“I also wish to say that the Philippines will pursue its right to Sabah by peaceful means in accordance with the provisions of its Constitution, our Constitution, which renounces war as an instrument of national policy, and that our country is also committed to the principles of the United Nations binding member states to the pacific settlement of international disputes,” Marcos said in September 22, 1968.

Hussein branded as “irresponsible” Locsin’s statement, saying it could jeopardize bilateral ties between Malaysia and the Philippines.

Sulu Sultans

In Sulu, Paramount Sultan Ibrahim Q. Bahjin-Shakirullah II, said North Borneo is an inextricable part and parcel of the Sultanate of Sulu.

In a statement released August 3 this year, he said the Sultanate of Sulu asserts its position on the following: 1.) The Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo was never lawfully ceded to the Republic of the Philippines, and therefore remains a sovereign and independent state; 2.) The stipulation in the Deed of 1878 that the lessees of North Borneo shall administer the territory for “as long as they choose or desire to use them” places it in the category of a “perpetual lease”, effective for 100 years under international law. The contract of lease has therefore expired and possession over North Borneo should now be exercised by the Sultanate of Sulu, its rightful owner. And 3.) The heirs of Jamalul Kiram II do not have private ownership of Sabah. The territory continues to be owned by the Sultanate of Sulu, and not any private person.

He said in view of the history of the Sultanate and the circumstances surrounding the lease of Sabah, “we desire the recognition of the independent statehood and sovereignty of the Islamic Sultanate of Sulu and North Borneo.”

But Sultan Muedzul-Lail Tan Kiram, who claims to be the 35th Sultan of Sulu and North Borneo, said his grandfather, Sultan Mohammad Esmail Enang Kiram, who was recognized by the Philippine government in 1957, “transferred the rights of North Borneo under the government of President Diosdado Macapagal in 1962.”

He said - in a statement released by the Royal House of Sulu on August 4 this year – that his father, Sultan Mohammad Mahakuttah Abdulla Kiram and him being the Crown Prince of Sulu, confirmed the transfer of the rights of North Borneo to the Philippine government and this was made official through Memorandum Order No. 427 issued by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1974.

“We aspire for an amicable solution to the predicament that affects us all in this region,” Kiram said, adding, “The Royal House of Sulu firmly believes that diplomacy will allow us to move forward as governments and other parties involved play a crucial role from alleviating our people from poverty.”

The two are only among the 5 recognized sultans in Sulu. The others are Sultans Mohammad Venizar Julkarnain Jainal Abirin, Muizuddin Jainal Abirin Bahjin and Phugdalun Kiram II with Sulu Governor Dr. Sakur Tan, also called Datu Shabandar, as their Special Envoy. (Mindanao Examiner)

http://mindanaoexaminernewspaper.blogspot.com/2020/08/malaysia-again-trashes-philippines.html